Marking device



W. J. DE GROFT MARKING DEVICE Oct. 10 1967 Filed Oct. 2, 1964 United States Patent ()fitice Patented Get. 10, 1967 3,345,674 MARKING DEVICE Walter J. De Groft, Glen Ellyn, lll., assignor to Sanford Research Company, Bellwood, IlL, a corporation of Illinois Filed Get. 2, 1964, Ser. No. 401,059 7 Claims. (Cl. 15-563) ABSTRAQT OF THE DISCLOSURE A marking device having a wick-like marking element engageable with an ink reservoir is disclosed, which device is provided with an end member having a tubular section receiving and supporting the elongated narrow wick element. Tooth means are on the tubular element for securing the wick element and vent passageway means extending through the tooth means and the tubular element is formed.

The present invention relates to a novel marking device, and more specifically to a novel marking device of a type utilizing a wick-like marking element of felt or other suitable material.

A variety of felt tip marking devices has been proposed and several of these devices have been successfully used for many marking, drawing, writing, and painting or coloring tasks. However, most of the heretofore successfully used marking devices of the general type contemplated herein have usually included a relatively broad marking element making their use relatively dificult or unsuitable for certain types of work.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a novel marking device having a wick-like marking element, which device is constructed for enabling it to be used much in the same manner as an ordinary pen for relatively fine drawing, writing, or marking tasks.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide a novel marking device having a relatively narrow wick-like marking element constructed and supported in a manner facilitating economical and reliable assembly of the device and efficient and effective functioning of the device for drawing, writing or marking in relatively fine lines.

Still another object is to provide a novel marking device constructed so as to secure a wick-like marking element in assembled relationship in an effective manner while enabling the marking element to be assembled quickly and easily.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a marking device or pen incorporating features of the present invention and positioned to be used for marking or writing a line on a surface;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing the marking device of FIG. 1 with a cap assembled on the main barrel or reservoir;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing a portion of the marking device in greater detail;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view showing an upper end portion of the reservoir or barrel of the marking device;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line '55 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG.

3 and showing a slightly modified form of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 99 in FIG. 8.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same numerals throughout the various figures, a marking device 10 incorporating features of the present invention comprises a main barrel or reservoir 12 and a cap member 14.

The barrel or reservoir 12 comprises an end section 16 and a complementary end section 18. The section 16 has a closed transverse wall or end 20. The opposite end sections 16 and 18 of the barrel are preferably formed from plastic material and are joined and sealed together at 22. More specifically, the end section 18 is formed with a reduced diameter section 24 and a shoulder 26 specifically adapted to fit within and engage an end of the section 16. The parts may be secured together by a known spin welding process or in any other suitable manner.

The end section 18 is formed with an inwardly extending wall portion 28, which wall portion preferably tapers gradually inwardly from a junction 30 with the remainder of the section 18 which has a cylindrical configuration. The inwardly extending or tapering end wall 28 is connected at a centrally located annular junction 32 with an elongated tubular element 34 which extends through the wall. The tubular element 34 is adapted to receive and support a wick-like marking element. 36 in a manner fully described below.

The reservoir or barrel is adapted to contain a quantity of markingor coloring fluid or ink. More specifically a body 38 of absorbent material is disposed within the barrel, which body is adapted to retain a quantity of the marking fluid. The body 38 may be formed from felt, or from a bundle of generally parallel fibers or any other absorbent material.

It is contemplated that the body 38 of absorbent material will be assembled within the barrel sections 16 and 18 prior to the assembly of these sections with each other. The overall length of the body 33 is less than the overall length of the barrel 12 and the body is positioned so that an exposed end 49 thereof is spaced axially a substantial distance inwardly from the extreme end of the wall 28 defined by the junction 32. More specifically, the end 49 of the absorbent body 38 is preferably located adjacent to and slightly below the junction 30 between the tapering wall 28 and the generally cylindrical wall of the remainder of the end section 18 so as to avoid substantial compression of the end 40 which might interfere with free flow of marking fluid from the absorbent body to the wick-like element 36.

As previously indicated, the marking device 10 is adapted to be used for drawing, writing and the like with relatively fine or narrow lines. Thus the wick-like marking element 36 is formed with relatively small transverse dimensions, and as shown in the drawings, has a long narrow configuration. The wick-like element is preferably formed of a self-supporting absorbent material such as felt and is provided with a pointed outer end 42 for promoting the application of the marking fluid with relatively fine or narrow lines. The small transverse dimensi-ons of the wick-like element enables the pointed end 42 to be formed with a relatively sharp point which is sufficiently well supported to minimize any possibility of damage thereto. An opposite end 44 of the wick-like marking element is also pointed and is at least partially embedded in the surface 40 of the fluid containing absorbent body 38 so as to promote efficient transfer of fluid from the body 38 through the wick-like element.

The wick-like element 36 extends substantially beyond the end of the barrel defined by the junction 32. so as to facilitate use of the device in much the same manner as an ordinary pen. The tubular element 34 has a section 46 which also projects axially outwardly of or beyond the junction 32 for supporting an outer end portion of the wick-like marking element. In addition, the tubular element 34- has an inner end portion 48 which projects axially inwardly from the junction 32 to a point adjacent the plane to the junction 30. In other words, the inner end portion 48 substantially traverses the air space 50 between the junction 32 and the surface 46 for supporting the inner end portion of the wicklike element.

In order to secure the wick-like element 35 within the tubular element 34, the tubular element is provided with teeth 52, 54- and 56 at the innermost end of the section 48. As shown best in FIGS. 3 and 7, the teeth project not only radially inwardly but also are inclined downwardly or axially inwardly of the device. The plastic material from which the device is molded has suflicient resiliency to enable the teeth to spread slightly when the wick-like element is initially inserted through the outer end of the tubular element to the assembled position shown in the drawing. Furthermore, when the wicklike element is fully assembled, the strength and resiliency of the plastic material causes the tooth elements to bite into the wick-like element as shown best in FIG. 7 for positively preventing the withdrawal of the wick-like element. In addition, the grip on the wick-like element by the teeth is sufficient to prevent the wick-like element from being forced further into the tubular element 34 under the normal pressure which is applied during a writing or marking operation.

As shown best in FIGS. 5 and 6, the wick-like marking element 36 has a cross-sectional configuration different from the internal crosssectional configuration of the tubular element 34. In the embodiment shown, the tubular element is cylindrical while the wick-like element has a rectangular or square configuration. Furthermore, major transverse dimensions of the wick-like element are substantially the same as the internal diameter of the tubular element so that the tubular element serves to engage and support edges of the wick-like element. At the same time minor transverse dimensions of the wicklike element are substantially less than the internal diameter of the tubular element so as to provide air passageways 58, 60, 62 and 64 between the wick-like element and the tubular element for enabling the air pressure within the marking device to be equalized as the marking fluid is dispensed whereby to promote free flow of the marking fluid.

As previously indicated, the tooth elements 52, 54, and 56 bite into the wick-like element for securing it in position. In order to provide for communication between the interior of the barrel or reservoir and the passageways 58 through 64, slots 66, 68 and 70 are formed between the tooth elements. It is to be noted that the number of tooth elements and slots differs from the number of corners in the cross-sectional configuration of the wick-like element. In other words, in the embodiment shown, three slots are provided while the wick-like element has four corners. Furthermore, the slots and corners are uniformly spaced so that as a result, it is impossible for the corners to register with all of the slots. As shown, for example, in FIG. 6 it is possible for one of the corners of the wick-like elements to enter and substantially block one of the slots, but the remaining slots will remain substantially free and unobstructed for establishing communication between the interior of the barrel and at least a portion of the passageways along the sides of the wick-like element.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show a slightly modified form of the present invention which is similar to the structure described above as indicated by the application of identical reference numerals with the suflix or added to corresponding elements. While only a portion of this embodiment is shown, it is to be understood that it includes elements corresponding to all of those of the device 10. The only difference in this embodiment is in the construction of the wick-like element 36a and the tubular element 34a. More specifically, the wick-like element has a circular transverse cross-section substantially the same as the internal diameter of the tubular element 34a. In order to provide air passageways between the wick-like element and the tubular element, the slots 66a through 70a between the teeth 52a through 56a are extended in the wall of the tubular element 34a continuously from the geaeth to the upper or outer end of the tubular element The cap member 14 comprises an elongated tubular I section 72 having an internal diameter substantially uniform throughout a major portion of its length and substantially the same as the internal diameter of the end section 18 of the barrel or reservoir 12. The cap member has a closed upper or outer end 74 joined to the section 72 and an internal tubular element 76 extending axially from the end wall 74. The tubular element 76 has an internal diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the outer end section 46 of the tubular element 34. Thus when the cap member is assembled with the barrel or reservoir 12, the tubular section 72 not only telescopes over the end portion 18 of the barrel, but the tubular element 76 also telescopes over the end portion 46 of the tubular element 34. Thus a seal is provided at 78 between the tubular element 76 and the tubular element 34 and the outer end of the wick-like marking element is substantially sealed within a relatively small air space 80 for minimizing undesirable evaporation of the marking fluid.

It will be noted that the primary seal 78 is located at the extreme end of the device and away from the portion of the barrel normally gripped by a user so as to substantially eliminate any possibility of a marking fluid accidentally getting on the barrel of the device and the hands of the user. It is also to be noted that a free end 82 of the cap tubular portion 72 is spaced from the free end 84 of the cap tubular element 76 a distance substantially greater than the axial distance between the junction 30 and the extreme outer end of the tubular element 34. As the result, the end 82 of the cap member must be telescoped over the end portion 18 of the barrel and past the junction 30 prior to engagement of the tubular element 76 with the tubular element 34. This insures proper axial alignment of the cap member with the barrel so as to permit the tubular element 76 properly to telescope over the tubular element 34.

While preferred forms of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it is obvious that many structural details may be changed without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A marking device comprising a reservoir member having predetermined transverse dimensions, end means traversing one end of said reservoir member, an opposite end of said reservoir member being closed, said end means including an inwardly extending annular end wall and an elongated tubular element extending through and connected intermediate the ends thereof at an annular junction to said wall, said tubular element including an elongated inner end portion extending axially inwardly from said junction and an outer end portion projecting from said annular junction, said reservoir member having a substantially uniform diameter cylindrical wall section, said end wall tapering from a junction with said cylindrical wall section to said annular junction, a body of absorbent marking fluid retaining material disposed in said reservoir member and having an end surface adjacent said junction between the tapering wall and the cylindrical wall section leaving an air space above said end surface, a wick-like marking element separate from and extending through and supported by said tubular element and of substantially uniform transverse crosssection substantially throughout the longitudinal extent thereof, the inner end portion of said tubular element substantially traversing the said air space with the innermost end thereof adjacent but above said end surface, gripping means adjacent the said innermost end for engaging and retaining the wick-like marking element which traverses the remaining air space to a position in transfer engagement with said body of absorbent marking fiuid retaining material, and vent passageway means between the wick-like marking element and said tubular element.

2. A marking device, as defined in claim 1, wherein said gripping means includes a plurality of resilient tooth elements projecting inwardly and engaging and retaining said wick-like marking element.

3. A marking device, as defined in claim 1, wherein said tubular element includes tooth means engaging and retaining said wick-like marking elements and being interrupted by slo-t means establishing communication between the interior of said reservoir member and said passageway means.

4. A marking device, as defined in claim 1 wherein said tubular and wick-like elements both have a generally similar transverse cross-sectional configuration, and said passageway means extends axially outwardly in an internal wall of the tubular element.

5. A marking device, as defined in claim 1, which includes a cap member having a first tubular portion having an internal diameter similar to an external diameter of said reservoir member for telescoping over said end means and engaging said reservoir member, said cap member including an internal tubular element having an internal diameter greater than the external diameter of said elongated section of the first mentioned tubular element and adapted to telescope over said first mentioned tubular element and provide an annular seal there with.

6. A marking device comprising a reservoir member having predetermined transverse dimensions, a body of marking fluid retaining material within said reservoir member, end means traversing one end of said reservoir member, an opposite end of the reservoir member being closed, said end means including an inwardly extending annular wall and an elongated tubular element extending through and connected at an annular junction to said wall, said body of fluid retaining material being spaced substantially from said annular junction and leaving a substantial air space between said Wall and said body, said tubular element including an inner end section extending axially inwardly from said junction to a position adjacent said body, and wick-like marking element extending through and supported by said tubular element, said marking element having an inner end projecting inwardly from said tubular element and engaging said body and an outer end projecting outwardly from said tubular element, said tubular element having a generally circular internal transverse cross section and said wick-like marking element having a polygonal transverse cross section presenting a predetermined number of corners, and passageway means provided at least partially between generally circular and flat side walls of the tubular element and wick-like element respectively, said tubular element having tooth means engaging and retaining the wick-like element, said tooth means having a number of slots therethrough difiering from said predetermined number of corners.

7. A marking device, as defined in claim 6, wherein said tooth means is inclined axially inwardly from adjacent and innermost end of said tubular element for positively resisting withdrawal of the wick-like element and also for restraining axial inwardly directed movement of the wick-like element under pressure normally exerted on the wick-like element during a marking operation.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,278,976 10/1966 Ward 15-563 2,958,085 11/1960 Matschkal 15563 3,003,181 10/1961 Rosenthal 15-563 3,133,307 5/1964 Steinberg et a1 15-563 3,141,187 7/1964 Simon et al. 15-563 3,221,360 12/1965 Seeman 15563 X ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MAKING DEVICE COMPRISING A RESERVOIR MEMBER HAVING PREDETERMINED TRANSVERSE DIMENSIONS, END MEANS TRAVERSING ONE OF SAID RESERVOIR MEMBER, AN OPPOSITE END OF SAID RESERVOIR MEMBER BEING CLOSED, SAID END MEANS INCLUDING AN INWARDLY EXTENDING ANNULAR END WALL AND AN ELONGATED TUBULAR ELEMENT EXTENDING THROUGH AND CONNECTED INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS THEREOF AT AN ANNULAR JUNCTION TO SAID WALL, SAID TUBULAR ELEMENT INCLUDING AN ELONGATED INNER END PORTION EXTENDING AXIALLY INWARDLY FROM SAID JUNCTION AND AN OUTER END PORTION PROJECTING FROM SAID ANNULAR JUNCTION, SAID RESERVOIR MEMBER HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM DIAMETER CYLINDRICAL WALL SECTION, SAID END WALL TAPERING FROM A JUNCTION WITH A SAID CYLINDRICAL WALL SECTION TO SAID ANNULAR JUNCTION, A BODY OF ABSORBENT MARKING FLUID RETAINING MATERIAL DISPOSED IN SAID RESERVOIR MEMBER AND HAVING AN END SURFACE ADJACENT SAID JUNCTION BETWEEN THE TAPERING WALL AND THE CYLINDRICAL WALL SECTION LEAVING AN AIR SPACE ABOVE SAID END SURFACE, A WICK-LIKE MARKING ELEMENT SEPARATE FROM AND EXTENDING THROUGH AND SUPPORTED BY SAID TUBULAR ELEMENT AND OF SUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM TRANSVERSE CROSSSECTION SUBSTANTIALLY THROUGHOUT THE LONGITUDINAL EXTENT THEREOF, THE INNER END PORTION OF SAID TUBULAR ELEMENT SUBSTANTIALLY TRAVERSING THE SAID AIR SPACE WITH THE INNERMOST END THEREOF ADJACENT BUT ABOVE SAID END SURFACE, GRIPPING MEANS ADJACENT THE SAID INNERMOST END FOR ENGAGING AND RETAINING THE WICK-LIKE MAKING ELEMENT WHICH TRAVERSES THE REMAINING AIR SPACE TO A POSITION IN TRANSFER ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID BODY OF ABSORBENT MARKING FLUID RETAINING MATERIAL, AND VENT PASSAGEWAY MEANS BETWEEN THE WICK-LIKE MARKING ELEMENT AND SAID TUBULAR ELEMENT. 